International Human Resource Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

International Human Resource Management - Essay Example The workforces of firms are seen as the main resources that enable competitive advantage. The practices of Human Resource Management (HRM) have led to dramatic developments in developed countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States of America, as well as many developing economies such as India (Budhwar and Khatri, 2001). The Indian economy is characterized by huge growth in Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) made by multinational corporations entering different sectors of the economy. This economic status requires companies that tend to invest in the Indian economy to have special and modernized people management practices. Human Resource Management (HRM) systems and practices may vary from one country to another, as cultural and national factors influence the ways that human resources are managed across the globe. In this paper I will illustrate the distinguishing features of various HRM systems that Indian people practice in their organizations in terms of recruitment an d retention, training and development, and performance and reward management. Challenges facing Indian HR practices will also be examined. 2. Culture in India Culture in India is predominantly affected by the following factors: 2.1 Power distance Many Indians believe that power and wealth are unequally distributed within the country and that this situation is badly in need of change. Strong organizational hierarchy leads to the occurrence of both respected and disregarded positions among employees. The caste system, which is largely accepted in India, cannot be changed, although barriers between castes are shrinking and ‘untouchability’ was declared illegal in 1949. Caste is thought to be determined by behavior in former lives and is therefore accepted as fate. This affects the entire life of Indians, including their social status and profession (Khan-Panni and Swallow, 2009 {in Hollinshead 2009}). 2.2 Uncertainty avoidance In India there is a relatively low level of un certainty compared to other countries. Structures and traditions play key roles in reducing uncertainty, as Indians respect traditions, caste and heritage; elements that determine their role in society (Khan- Panni and Swallow, ibid {in Hollinshead 2

The Age of Global Communications Technology and a Cause for Worry for Essay

The Age of Global Communications Technology and a Cause for Worry for the Subsequent Spread of Westernization - Essay Example It is a factor that assists in determining the speed with which human beings are able to grow and develop on a personal as well as societal basis. The internet is one such form of global communication technology in the world today. Over the last few decades it has spread all over the world massively, wiring almost every corner of the world and helping in spreading information and resources to every nook and cranny. This paper is a reflection of how this same global communication technology, in the form of the internet, has helped to spread westernization all over the world within the span of a very short period, how this spreading of the western culture has been affecting various parts of people’s lives, namely, culture, politics, business, science and technology; and whether or not this very spread of westernization, affecting all these portions of a person’s life, is a cause for worry for the rest of the world or not. The world has become almost like a small village, with almost each and every person connected to the other. All kinds of information can be found online with the help of the internet. In the last few decades, the internet has also become a very common and affordable phenomenon taking over every person’s household; most people look for the feature of having internet on their cell phones, smart phones, personal computers, laptops, and any other aspect of their life that may have the option of being connected to the World Wide Web consortium. Information from various kinds of libraries, government agencies, NGOs, offices etc, from all around the world can be available easily on a person’s private laptop with the click of the mouse; such resources help in researching, writing as well as gaining more and more knowledge on vast topics. Sitting in one’s bedroom, a person can conduct meetings worldwide through video conferencing, play multi player games with people from around the world, social network with friends and family and do so much more. (Huntington, Samuel) The internet is thus that part of the global communication technology which does not restrict a person from knowing more about anything. The internet is also mostly free to anyone wanting to make use of it, and thus its appeal grows even more. However, the question remains, has the widespread use of this part of technology led to the spreading of western culture, and if it has, then is this westernization a cause for worry for the rest of humanity? Westernization is the adoption of western thoughts, ideas and beliefs, in terms of science, technology, industry, politics and culture. It also includes aspects like religion, philosophy and anything else that includes the adoption and usage of foreign thoughts coming from the West. It is thus the process of inculcating values and ideologies from the west into an indigenous thought process. Westernization basically comes from the acceptance and implementation of ideals from Europe and Amer ica. Since these regions have been known to dominate the world for a good period of time since the modern world took its course, they have been said to have left behind their values and way of living life in the countries and colonies they had captured back then. Most countries around the world have been under the rule of Europe for a very long time in the past. Others have been a part of American cultures and ideals before they broke free and started forming their own governments and democracies. However, despite breaking away from these parent overriding rules, they still retain a vast amount of culture from them. For example, India was ruled